BACOLOD CITY -- The Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan has passed legislation that bans the entry of genetically modified plants and animals in the province and imposes penalties for violations.

The ordinance, "The Safeguard Against Living Genetically-Modified Organisms (GMO)," helps bring Negros Island closer to its goal of becoming the organic food bowl of Asia, said Patrick Belisario, executive director of the Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Foundation Inc.

The Negros Oriental provincial government is also expected to pass a parallel ordinance, Belisario said, by virtue of a 2005 agreement signed by Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph MaravÉ¬±on and Negros Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz committing the two provinces to develop organic agriculture and attain 10 percent organic agricultural production and ban GMOs by 2010.

The ordinance, which will take effect after one month, mandates the implementation of measures to protect the province's biodiversity by banning the entry of genetically modified plants and animals into the province of Negros Occidental.

A person violating the GMO ban in Negros Occidental faces imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine of not more than P5,000 or both at the discretion of the courts. If a corporation or an organization commits the violation, their heads would be held liable.

The ordinance also bans the entry of all living modified organisms (LMOs), defined as those that possess a novel combination of genetic material through modern biotechnology.

The ordinance also prohibits the planting and selling LMOs within province.

Those with LMOs already planted in the province are given 120 days, from the effectivity of the ordinance, to stop growing them and dispose of their harvest outside t he province. Those selling LMOs have 30 days from the effectivity of the ordinance to dispose of their products outside the province.

Belisario said that some countries importing organic products require certification that products are GMO-free, aside from the mandatory organic certification.

The ban on GMOs would give an opportunity to people's organizations and agribusiness companies to make available in commercial quantities organic seeds, fertilizers and botanical pest control, feeds for livestock and poultry and fisheries, he said.

These inputs are needed to enable the province to attain the target of 80,000 hectares of the agricultural lands in Negros Island devoted to organic production, Belisario said.

Negros is known for its lone organic export of muscovado sugar, mostly to Europe. Belisario said muscovado is an ingredient for organic chocolate and other confectionery products.

It was estimated in 2005 that the world market for organic products had grown to $30 billion mark, with a total of 25 million hectares devoted to organic agriculture, Belisario said. In the Philippines, the organic market is growing by between 30 and 50 percent annually, higher than the global growth rate of 10 to 30 percent.